Dry-pipe water-service fire-extinguisher system.



R. L. GOONEY.

DRY PIPE WATER SERVICE FIRE EXTINGUISHEB SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JURE 15,1910.

75 Patented 0015.7,1913.

7' W 55 0 i 2 Q m o I wn 4 b Q 5 J N 5\ ZzeQSde LS W @V/Z 207' ROBERT L.cooitnr, OFA'ILAN'IA, ononsm.

DRY-PIPE W TER&SERVICE FIRE-EXTINGUISHER SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

Application filed June 15. 1910. Serial No. 567,049..

To all whom, it may concern Be. it known that 1, ROBERT L. 'COONEY, acitizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county ofFulton .and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Dry-Pipe ater-Servicealmost exclusively along this line, sincesystems of mechanical -.cont:rol are not commercially acceptable byreason of being expensive, cumbersome, and slow-in action. The 25'principle'heretofore employed in dry-pipe systems, as they are termed,has involved the opposition-of a restraining elastic fluid pressure tothe pressure of the water in the city mainthrough the intermediary ofthe dry-pipe valve, the latter being usually of a differential type, andhaving its faces so proportioned that a given pressure of elas- .-ticfluid will eflicien-tly oppose a given pres sure of the water in thecity mains. In these systems the elastic fluid pressure is put into thedistribtuting'pipe and its leaders or branches, and normally holds thedry pipe valve in its closed osition. When,

however, a sprinkler hea or distributing valve is opened, the fluidpressure exhausts from the distributing system and the force of thewater, being thus-imopposed,causes the dry-pipe valve to open, the waterin the service main being thus admitted to the distributing system. In afew instances the restraining elastic fluid pressure has not beenopposed to the city water pressure but has been opposed to a weightorsome equivalent. arrangement which is operatively as sociated with orrelated to the dry-pipe valve toiproduce the opening of the latter butwhich has its operation normally re strained by the action of theelastic fluid pressure. In one or two of the last-mentioned variationsof the general type, the restraining, pressure is used to initiallyconemployed.

trol an operating pressure through the intermediary of some mechanicaldevice.

One objection to the type of system generally described above may betraced from the fact that the principle employed proposes the oppositionof a restraining force which may vary from a maximum to zero to anoperating force which can never fall to zero and which, to all intentsand purposes, is fixed. By reason of this fact, if on account of leakageof the elastic flui pressure, the restraining force should be reducedbelow the absolute degree essential for normally reventin the opening ofthe dryipe va ve by he operating force, whether the latter be derivedfrom the service pressure, from a weight, or from a maintained ororiginated elastic fluid pressure,

:sa id operating force will be unbalanced or permitted or caused tobecome active, and hence, will produce the opening of the drypi-pevalve, and the conversion of what was originally intended to be adry-pipe system into awet-pipe system. It will be apparent that thisanomalous condition renders the valve organization wholly inutile andsuperfluous. The leakage of the restraining pressure, aibove referredto, is only one of the factors which will produce the result stated. Insome instances, by reason of a defect or inherent peculiarity of themechanical organisation, the undesirable result will follow from otherconditions, unnecessary to detail. Another objection to the type ofsystem referred to may be traced from the fact that, out of a necessaryabundance of precaution, the restraining pressure is put into thedistributing pipes at adegree more or less in excess of the degreenecessary to prevent the action of the valve and it follows from thisthat a substantial reduction of pressure has to occur throughout thewhole distributing system before the valve can come into action. As aconsequence, there is a greater or less degree of delay prior to themechanical action of the arrangement and which, by increasing the periodof time necessary for the stream to reach the fire, seriously interfereswith or minimizes "the efficiency of the system. This period of delay isof course augmented to a greater or less degree by the character andmode of operation of the mechanical agents The foregoingpreliminarydiscussion leads to a statement of the main objects of the acomponent part or lateral continuation present invention and these arefirst, to provide a system of the type stated wherein there isabsolutely no liability of the ultimate conversion of a dry-pipe systeminto a wet-pipe system; second, to provide a system wherein thepreliminary period of delay is reduced to a minimum and is governedalmost wholly by the extent of the distributing system, being negligiblyaffected by the nature and mode of operation of the mechanical agentsemployed; and third, to provide a dry-pipe valve organization of thesimplest and 1nost inexpensive character. The manner in which theseobjects are carried out will appear from a consideration of the exampledisclosed in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is, a diagram ofthe system; and Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of thedry-pipe valve organization.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views.

In the diagram, A designates the service or supply pipe, B is thegeneral designation of the dry-pipe valve organization, C designates thedistributing pipe, I) designates a leader from the distributing pipe,and E designates a sprinkler head associated with the leader.

The dry-pipe valve organization includes a closed casing, as l, to theinterior of which access may be had through a hand hole, normallycovered by a closure plate, as 2. This casing is operatively related tothe pipes A and C, the pipe A being connected directly to the casing andthe pipe C being connected directly to a siphon casting, as 2 which in'turn isconnected directly to the casing at one side thereof, and is, ineffect,

thereof. The casting 2 embodies an up-flow I channel 3 leading from thecasing, a downflow channel 4 leading to the distributing pipe C, and-aweb 5 intervening between the channels.

In contemplation of the particular organization and mode of operationherein disclosed by way 'of example, the casing is partially filled withwater up to a line X, a portion of the body of water of course 00-cupying the channel 3. This bodyof water which,1n the example underconsideration, is

the equivalent'of' a mechanical element and is to be'so considered,provides for an air space, as 6, in the upper portion of the easmg andfor an air space, as 7, in the upper portion of the siphon casting, andof course serves to separate these air spaces. The air space 7 isobviously in direct communication with the distributing system.

The communication of the service or supply pipe A and the casing isnormally interrupted by a disk or plate valve 10. In the presentexample, this valve is carried by the lower one of a pair oftoggle links11, being for a purpose which will hereinafter appear, pivoted thereto.The upper link 11 is pivoted at the end'of an adjusting stem 12, thethreaded and swiveled shank of which passes through a web 13, andcarries a hand wheel 14. i

The links 11 are initially set slightly off their line of dead centerand this relation is normally maintained by a latch lever 15 pivotedbetween its ends to a bracket 16, and which has one end formed to engageor hook over a lug 17 on the upper link 11 and its other end free. Itwill be apparent, from the description thus far given, that the closedrelation of the valve 10 is maintained through an agency which exercisesthis, its normal function, by reason of an inherent quality, and not byreason of the application of a restraining pressure as in the knownconstructions of the type referred to. Consequently, the force(pneumatic pressure) which initiates the opening of the valve 10 isderived from a source extraneous to the city water pressurenotwithstanding that such water pressure is, in the-embodimentdisclosed, instrumental in effecting the actual opening of said valve10. In this, as well as in other respects to presently appear, theinvention involves, so far as I am aware, a new principle oforganization and operation and a new technological effect.

The opening of the valve 10 which, in the present example, is effectedby the pressure of the water in the pipe A, is provided for, by raisingthe engagingend of the lever 15 to clear the lug 17, and this action isconsequent to't'he descent of a float 18 which is sustained in a normalposition by the body of water aforesaid, which descends consequent tothe lowering of the level of said body of water, and which, in itsdescent, engages the free end of the lever 15 and trips the latter, withthe result stated. The float 18 surrounds and moves with relation to anaxially disposed guide stem, as 18, and is provided with a flange orbead, as 18", for engagement with the free end of the lever 15.

The invention contemplates the use of an elastic fluid impulse orpulsation to provide for the opening of the valve and in the embodimentunder discussion this pulsation of course acts upon the body of wateraforesaid, and in the preferred mode of operation the impulse orpulsation is applied to that portion of the body of water which isconfined in the casing 1. I

In the preferred mode of operation acharging pressure is employed andthis pressure is put both into the distributing system and into thecasing, that division of pressure in the distributing system being, forthe sake of convenience and clearness, termed the restraining ordominant pressure, and that division of pl'essur'ejill he casing beigffoithe same reason, termed the operating'or servient' pressure. Theserestraining and operating pressures are, of course, separated bythe bodyof'water aforesaid and 'at the.

same time are 'eifective in determining or maintaining" the level of"the latter.

In order that the water level'mayremain at the normal positiondeterminedupon,it

"is essential that therestraining'and operatand'this is accomplished'byconnecting the air spaces of the casing 1 "and, the siphon casting 2* byaby-pass pipe,'as1}), which may be of capillary diameter or, andpreferably may as showmbeprfovided with adiaphra m '20which has apin-hole aperture. Itwiil be'apparent'that, withthis arrangement,'if thedegree o f'either of the pressures is slightly and gradually 're duce'dasby.

reason of leakage, th-edegree of the; other pressure will becorrespondingly reduced, owing to the communication of the pressuresthrough the pin hole of the diaphragm.

While the diameter of the pin-hole aperture aforesaid is amplysufficient in "providing'for the equalizing of the pressures in themanner and under the circumstances set forth, it is too small to passanymaterial portion of the operating pressure when "the restrainingpressure is suddenly and materially reduced, asat the time of a fire'by' the opening of a sprinkler head, distributing valve, orequivalentdevice. "Consewhen the pressures are unbalanced in the mannerset forth,'by the 'opening of a valve, in the event of'a fire, therestraining or'servient pressure does not escape,'to any materialdegree, through the apertured diaphragm 20, but becomes active in thecasing l and projects'the body of'water toward the distributing system,thus lowering the water level and roviding for the descent of the floatI8. he latter thereupon trips the lever'15 in the manner explained, thetoggle links are thereby released, and the water in the pipe A forcesthe valve 10 from its seat and flows past said valve and into the distributing system.

The foregoing operations take place in an almost incredibly short periodof-time, and this quickness of action which amounts practically t0instantaneousness, is due to the correlated facts, first, of thesuddenness and initial 'force of the operating impulse or pulsation, andsecond, ofthe several characteristics of the mechanicalinstrumentalities Whose action is in response to-the pulsation. In theembodiment under consideration, these characteristics are the lightnessof the bod of water, the

simplicity of the valve ocking means, and the siphon effect of thecolumn of water passing throughthe dowliflow chanaction of the impulseor pulsation. These three characteristics combine to produce asensitiven'ess of mechanical action, which in conjunction with the'suddenness and force of the impulse, renders the o erating effectof'the latter of the most'e cient character. This sensitiveness ofmechanical action,'in addition. to its material contribution to "the'efii'ciency of operation of the "system, makes it possible to producethe operation with an impulse of exceedingly sare'maybe maintained at avery low degree; The'importance' of this fact will be appreciated whenit'is considered that the lighter the'pressure, the more easy it is tomaintain, that provision for a light maintained pressure is a positiverequirement of the art, and that the important object of a great numberof prior arrangements is to provide for .a light restraining pressure.

The present invention provides for the use of pressure atia degree, bothas concerns the function of operation and the function of restraint,which is several times less than the lightest degree of pressureheretofore possible 'andth'e degree of pressure necessary to the oeration ofthe present system mav, out of anabundance of precaution, beincreased severartimes and still be lower than the lowest degree ofpressure heretofore possible. When a char ing pressure is used, it maybeintrotluced iito the system at any convenient poi'nt, andfrom anyconvenient source. 7 It is preferred, however, to introdude thispressure into the air space 6, through an opening 21 in the wall of thecasingand the air' nay' be supplied through a reducing valve and acarboy. The reducing valve-and the carboy' are not shown the mention ofthe elements in passing is "thoughttobesuiiicient, since they are 'wellknown in this and other arts for generally similar purposes.

"Out of"an*abundan'ce of precaution it is referred toprovide means ofsimple and inexpensive character and whereby the action'of'the apparatuswill not be affected, either by the leakage of water past the valve 10and into'the casing, or from the casing, although with a reasonabledegree of care in manufacture andproper factory inspection, either ofthe contingencies noted will be very remote.

To overcomethe eifect of-leakage past the "valve 10'a'nd intothe casing,means is provided for automatically maintaining the water leveldetermined upon and such means includes a drainpipe 22 whichcommunicates with the casing below the water line and nel 4, this lastbeing augmentative of thelight'charater, and of course, in theprefer'red mode of operation, the charging'pres-- latter is pivoted atthe junction of its arms toa lug or bracket, as 25, and has a free armwhich pro ects above the float 18. The .lever 24 is so hung that thevalve 23 normally closes the inlet end of the pipe 22. It will beapparent that in the event of such leakage into the casing as wouldtemporarily raise the water level, the float 18 will ascend and in suchmovement will engage the free arm of the lever 24, thereby rocking thelat;

ter and unseating the valve 23. Thereupon the excess of water is drainedthrough the pipe 22 and this draining is, of course, con tinued untilthe water level is approximately at the determined height. At such timethe lever 24 will have resumed its normal position and the valve 23 willclose against the end of the pipe 22 and interru t further drainagethrough said pipe. It wi 1 be noted that by having the inletend of thepipe 22 below the normal water line the degree of pressure of the airmaintained in the space 6 is not afiected.

To overcome the effect of leakage of water from the casing means isprovided for automatically maintaining the water level determined uponand such means includes a pipe, as 26, which extends between the pipe Aand the bottom of the casing and which has its discharge end normallyclosed by a valve, as 27. The latter is placed at the end of a stem 28,slidable axially through apertured lugs 29 and having an attached weight30 which effects the normal sea-ting of the valve 27 I It will beapparent that in the event of leakage or evaporation of the Water in thecasing, the water level will b lowered and the float 18 will descend.The unseating of the valve 27 is consequent to the descent of the floatand is produced by a pivoted finger, as 31, which is engaged and movedby the float and which in turn engages the weight 30 and raises the stem28 and therewith the valve 27. Water is thus admitted into the casingfrom the pipe 26 until the level has been restored to the heightdetermined at which time the float 18 will have resumed its normalposition and the valve 27 will have seated by gravity, thus interru tingthe further admission of water throug 1 the .pipe 26. g The finger 31serves another function which is incidental to the operation of thesystem, namely, to prevent the ascending movement of the float after thelatter a has moved sufficiently to provide for the opening of the valve10 andin this function the finger acts as a pawl and engages a flange 32at the lower end of the float. This provision is made, since, if thefloat were allowed to ascend after its operation and consequent to thefilling of the casing 1 with water from the pipe A, it would cause the oening of the valve 23 in the manner exp ained and hence some of thewater intended for service demands would be uselessly diverted and thepressure at the open sprinkler head or distributing valve would be, tothat extent, reduced.

The invention is believed to be of considerable novelty within itsparticular field and for this reason no specific description hereincontained is intended to place any limitation upon the scope of thesucceeding claims, which does not inhere in the language thereof.

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

1. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system ineluding a water service pipe, adistributing pipe and a closed casing interposed between the waterservice pipe and the distributing pipe and communicating with saidpipes, the distributing pipe and the casing serving to confine air underpressure, means for maintaining the pressures of the air in thedistributing pipe and in the casing at equal degrees, a valve arrangedin the casing and which, in a normal position, closes the water serviceipe, the casing being partially filled with a ody of liquid whichseparates the air in the casing from the air in the distributing pipeand provides for the expansion of the air in the casing, when the air inthe distributing pipe is suddenly exhausted, means for latching thevalve in its closed position, and a, float supported by the body ofliquid and operable consequent to the shifting of the latter when theair in the casing expands to disengage the valve latching means.

2. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system including a water service pipe, adistributing pipe and a closed casing interposed between the waterservice pipe and the distributing pipe and communicating with saidpipes, the distributing pipe and the casing serving to confine air underpressure, means for maintaining the pressures of the air in thedistributing pipe and in the casing at equal degrees, a valve arrangedin the casing and which, in a normal position, closes the water servicepipe, a pair of toggle links, one of which is pivoted to the valve andthe other of which is pivoted in the casing, the toggle links beingnormally set slightly ofl" a dead center and maintaining the closedposit-ion of the valve, a latch lever which engages the toggle links andmaintains the normal relation thereof, a body of liquid which separatesthe air in the casing from the air in the distributing pipe and providesfor the expansion of the air in the casing when the air in thedistributing pipe is suddenly exhausted, and a float supported by thebody of liquid and operable consequent to the shifting of the latterwhen the air in the casing expands to engage the latch lever and: causethe latter to release the toggle lin si 3. A dry-pipe fire extinguishersystem including a distributing pipe, a water service pipe, a casinginterposed between the pipes and in communication therewith, a valve inthe casing and normally closing the water service pipe, the casing beingpartially filled with a body of liquid which is shittable by a pneumaticimpulse whereby its level in the casing is lowered, and means operableconsequent to the shifting of the body of liquid to provide for theopening of the valve.

4. dry-pipe fire extinguisher system including a distributing pipe, awater service pipe, a casing in communication with the water servicepipe, a siphon casting in communication with the casing and thedistributing pipe, a valve in the casing and normally closing the waterservlce pipe, the

casing and the siphon casting being partially filled with a body ofliquid which is shiftable by apneumatic impulse whereby its level in thecasing is lowered, and means operable consequent to the shifting of thebody of liquid to provide for the opening of the valve.

5. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system including a distributing pipe, awater service pipe, a casing interposed between the dis-. tributing pipeand the water service pipe and in communication, with said pipes, avalve in the casing and normally closing the water service pipe, thecasing being par- .tially filled with a body of liquid whereby airspaces are afforded on the distributing pipe side and the casing side ofsaid body, a by-pass pipe connecting the air spaces and having an airassageway of pin-hole diameter, the b0 y of liquid being shiftable by apneumatic impulse whereby its level :in the casing may be lowered andmeans set in operation consequent to the lowering of the level of thebody of liquid to provide for the opening of the valve.

6. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system including a distributing pipe, awater service pipe, a casing interposed between the distributing pipeand the water service pipe and in communication with said pipes, a valvein the casing and normally closing the water service pipe, the casingbeing partially filled with a body of liquid whereby air spaces areafiorded on the distributing pipe side andv the casing side of saidbody, a by-pass pipe connecting the air spaces and having an airpassageway of pin-hole diameter, means for latching the valve in aclosed position, the body of liquid being shiftable by a pneumaticimpulse whereby its level in the casing may be lowered and a floatoperable consequent to the lowering of the level of the body of liquidto disengage the valve latching means.

7. A dry-pipe fine extinguisher system including a distributing pipe, awater service pipe, a cas ng interposed between the dis- 7 tributingpipe and the water service pipe and partially filled with a body ofliquid maintained in stableequilibrium and shiftable by a pneumaticimpulse developed withinthe casing, the action of which is initiated bya sudden reduction of pressure in the distributing pipe, a valve in thecasing and normally closing the water service pipe, and means operableconsequent to the shifting of the body of liquid to provide for theopening of the valve.

8. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system including a distributing pipe, awater service pipe, a casing interposed between the distributing pipeand the water service pipe and partially filled with a body of liquidshiftable by a pneumatic impulse, a valve in the casing and normallyclosing the water service pipe, and means for latching the valve in aclosed position and operable consequent to the shifting of the body ofliquid to provide for the opening of the valve.

9! A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system including a distributing pipe, awater service pipe, a casing interposed between the distributing pipeand the water service pipe and partially filled with a body of liquidshiftable by a pneumatic impulse, a valve in the casing and normallyservice pipe, a float shiftable with the body of liquid, and meanscaused to operate by the shifting of the float to provide for theopening of the valve.

10. A dry-pipe fire extinguisherv system includinga distributing pipe, awater service pipe, a casing interposed between the distributing pipeand the water service pipe and partially filled with a body of liquidwhich normally. has a determined level and is shiftable by a pneumaticimpulse,.avalve in the casing and normally closing the water servicepipe, means operable consequent to the shifting of the body of liquid toprovide for the opening of the valve, and automatically operable drainvalve means for relieving the casing of any excess of liquid which mayleak past the valve.

11. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system including a distributing pipe, awater service pip e, a casing interposed between the distributing pipeand the water service pipe andypartially filled with a body of liquidwhich normally has a determined level and is shiftable by a pneumaticimpulse, a valve in the casing and normally closing the water servicepipe, means operable consequent to the shifting of the, body ofliquid'to provide for the opening of the valve, a pipe connecting theservice pipe and the casing and a valve normally 0105' said last-namedpipe and operable automatically to open and admit liquid to the casingin the event of leakage or evaporation of the liquid normally containedtherein.

12. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system closing the water including adistributing pipe, a water service pipe, a casing interposed between thedistributing pipe and the water service pipe and partially filled with abody of liquid shiftable by a pneumatic impulse, a valve in the casingand normally closingthe water service pipe, a float shiftable with thebody of liquid,'means caused to operate by the shifting of thefloat toprovide for the opening of the valve, and a drain valve automaticallyoperable by the float in the event of the raisingof the liquid level byreason of leakage past said first-named valve to relieve the casing ofexcess liquid and to restore the normal liquid level.

13. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system including a distributing pipe, awater serv-v ice pipe, acasing interposed between the distributing pipeand the water service pipe and partially filled with a body of liquidshiftable by a pneumatic impulse, a valve in the casing and normallyclosing the water service pipe, a float shiftable with the body ofliquid, means caused to operate by the shifting of the float to providefor the opening of the valve, a pipe connecting the service pipe and thecasing and a valve normally closing said last-named pipe and operableautomatically in the event of the loss of liquid from the casing andconsequent to the descent of the float to move to open position andthereby admit sufl'icient water to the casing to, restore the normalwater level. I I

14. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system including a distributing pipe,9. Water service pipe, a casing interposed between the dis-, tributingpipe'and the water service pipe and partially filled with a body ofliquid shiftable by a pneumatic impulse, a valve in the casing andnormally closing the water service pipe, a float shiftable with the bodyof liquid, means caused to operateby the shifting of the float toprovide for the opening of the valve, a drain valve automaticallyoperable by the float in the event of the raising of the liquid level,by reason of leakage past said first-named valve to relieve the casingof excess liquid and to restore the normal liquid level, a pipeconnecting the service pipe and the casing, a valve normally closingsaid last-named pipe, and a pivoted finger for opening the lastnamedvalve, the finger being operable by the float consequent to the descentof the latter in the event of the loss of liquid from the casing andhaving operation also to engage the float andmaintain the latter in alowered position subsequent to the opening of said first-named valve.

15. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher system including a distributing pi e, acasing communicating therewith an artially filled with a body of liquid,in. stahle equilibrium but shiftable by a pneumatic impulse developedwithin the casing, the action of which is initiated by a suddenreduction of pressure in the distributing pipe a water service pipecommunicating with the casing,

including a distributing pipe, a water'serv:

ice pipe, a casing interposed between the distributing pipe and thewater service pipe, a valve normally closing the water service pipe, andmeans'in stable equilibrium in the casing, but operable by a pneumaticimpulse to provide for the openin of the valve, the means including ayielable' ele-. ment which has air spaces at opposite sides thereof inthe casing and in the distributing pipe respectively, and which providesfor the development of the impulse within the casing as an immediateconsequence ofa reduction of pressure in the distributing pipe.

17. A dry pipe fire extinguisher system, including a distributing pipe,a water service pipe, a casing interposed between the distributing pipeand the water servicepipe, a valve normally closing the'water servicepipe, means for latchingthe valve in its closed position, and means instable equilibrium but operable by a pneumatic impulse for disengagingthe valve latching means, the means including a yieldable element whichhas air spaces at opposite sides thereof in the casing and in thedistributing pipe respectively, and which provides for the developmentof the impulse in the casing as an immediate consequence of a reductionof pressure in the distributing pipe.

18. A dry pipe fire extinguisher system, including a distributing pipewhich serves to confine air under pressure, a casing communicating withthe distributing pipe and also serving to confine air under pressure, arestricted communication between the distributing pipe and the casing tonormally maintain the air pressuresat equal degrees, a water servicepipe, communicating with the casing, a valve normally closing the waterservice pipe, and means in stable equilibrium in the casin and operableby the expansion of air in t e casing when the air in the distributingpipe is suddenly exhausted, to provide for the opening of the valve.

19. A dry pipe fire extinguisher system, including a distributing pipe,a casing in communication therewith, a water service pipe communicatingwith the casing, a plate valve in the casing and normally closing thewater service pipe, a pair of toggle links, one of which is pivoted inthe casing and the other of which is pivoted to the plate valve, a latchlever engaging the toggle links and causing the latter to hold the platevalve in its closed position, and means for causing the latch lever torelease the toggle links and including a yieldable element which isarranged in stable equilibrium and is operatively movable by a pneumaticimpulse, developed within the casing consequent to a reduction ofpressure in the distributing pipe.

20. A dry pipe fire extinguisher system, including a distributing pipe,a casing communicating therewith and partially filled with a body ofliquid which has air spaces at opposite sides thereof in the casing andin the distributing pipe respectively, a water service pipecommunicating with the casing, a valve arranged in the casing tonormally close the service pipe, the air pressure in the casing beingnormally balanced by the air pressure in the distributing pipe wherebyit expands when the pressure in the distributing pipe is suddenly andmaterially reduced, and means set in operation consequent to suchexpansion to provide for the opening of the valve.

21. A dry pipe fire extinguisher system,

including a distributing pipe, a water service pipe, and a closedcasingin communication with the distributing 'pipe and the water servicepipe and partia ly filled with a body of liquid, the distributing pipeand the tank each serving to confine an elastic fluid under pressure,means for maintaining the fluids at normally equal pressures, a valveheld normally to close the Water service pipe, the elastic fluid in thetank expanding when the elastic fluid in the distributing pipe is.suddenly exhausted, and means set in operation consequent to theexpansion of the pressure in the casing to rovide for the opening of thevalve, the tan inclosing the valve and the means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

- ROBERT L. GOONEY. Witnesses:

H. Bnoomn, Jr, H. L. Dyna.

